Eurotopics.net

After a brief delay of three-and-a-half months, the last German nuclear power plants will go off grid on 15 April at 23:59. This is the final step in Germany's nuclear phase-out that was initiated in 2011. Yet the climate and energy crises have created more advocates for nuclear power in recent months. The debate in the European press rumbles on.

Officially, China's military exercises around Taiwan officially ended on 11 April, but according to the Taiwanese Ministry of Defence China is continuing drills with 9 ships and 26 aircraft. The People's Republic still considers Taiwan, which has been independent for 70 years, to be part of its territory. Could a blockade or even an invasion be the next step? Europe's press is divided.

Berlin plans to legalise the use of cannabis - with certain restrictions. Under the government's reform plans, anyone over 18 will be allowed to purchase up to 50 grams of cannabis per month in special clubs and grow up to three flowering plants. Is this a dangerous or sensible move?

Romanian Finance Minister Adrian Câciu has announced that the government needs to cut budget spending by at least 20 billion lei (about four billion euros) due to lower tax revenues. The government has said that there won't be layoffs or salary cuts in the public sector, but cutbacks in "non-substantial expenditures". The Romanian press puzzles over precisely what measures will be taken.